Storage case and file case

ABSTRACT

A file case includes a body member for storing files therein in vertical position, a top end of the body member being opened; and a file support member attached to an upper portion of the body member and adapted to support the files such that hooks provided on upper portions of the files are hooked on the file support member. The file support member is pivotably or removably attached to the body member such that, through the file support member being pivoted outward or removed, an opening of the opened top end of the body member is expanded so as to allow a body member of another file case to be inserted into the body member. While the file support member is attached in place to the body member, a cover member is pivotably or removably attached to the body member from above.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a storage case allowingefficient storage of articles therein, wherein a plurality of thestorage cases can be stacked compactly for, for example, transport orstorage, as well as to a file case allowing efficient storage of filestherein, wherein a plurality of the file cases can be stacked compactlyfor, for example, transport or storage.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Conventionally, a case for storing articles or files therein hasbeen known. Such a case may include an interior tray for storing smallarticles or the like therein or a file support member for supportingfiles. When an interior tray is to be provided, the interior tray isintegrally formed within the interior of the case, or a stepped trayrest for supporting a discrete interior tray is integrally providedwithin the interior of the case. When a file support member is to beprovided, the member is usually integrally formed at an upper portion ofthe case.

[0005] However, the interior tray, stepped tray rest, or file supportmember hinders compact stacking of a plurality of the cases.Specifically, when the upper case is placed into the lower case, theinterior tray, stepped tray rest, or file support member hinders theplacement of the upper case into the lower case, so that the casescannot be stacked. Therefore, the cases occupy a large space at the timeof, for example, transport or sale at a store.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An object of the present invention is to solve theabove-mentioned problem involved in the conventional case and to providea storage case and a file case allowing compact stacking for, forexample, transport or sale at a store.

[0007] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides astorage case comprising a body member for storing articles therein, atop end of the body member being opened; and an interior tray memberattached to an upper portion of the body member and adapted to storesmall articles therein. In the storage case, the interior tray member ispivotably or removably attached to the body member such that, throughthe interior tray member being pivoted outward or removed, an opening ofthe opened top end of the body member is expanded so as to allow a bodymember of another storage case to be inserted into the body member.

[0008] Employment of the above-described configuration yields thefollowing effect. Pivoting the interior tray member outward or removingthe interior tray member expands an opening of the opened top end of thebody member, thereby allowing a body member of another storage case tobe inserted into the body member. Therefore, a number of storage caseshaving their openings expanded can be stacked compactly.

[0009] Preferably, while the interior tray member is attached in placeto the body member, a cover member is pivotably or removably attached tothe body member from above.

[0010] Employment of the above-described configuration yields thefollowing effect. After articles are stored in the interior of the bodymember and on the interior tray member, the cover member is attached tothe body member of the storage case from above, thereby covering theinterior of the body member and the interior tray member. When a secondstorage case is to be stacked on the first storage case, the covermember of the first storage is pivoted open or removed to thereby expandthe opening of the opened top end of the body member of the firststorage case. Thus, the body member of the second storage case can beinserted into the body member of the first storage case to thereby bestacked thereon.

[0011] Preferably, the body member is configured such that in additionto the top end thereof being opened, a front wall thereof is opened.

[0012] Employment of the above-described configuration yields thefollowing effect. Not only can the user store articles in the interiorof the body member through the opening of the opened top end of the bodymember, but the user can also visually check the contained articles orremove articles from or place articles in the interior of the bodymember through the opening of the opened front wall of the body member.

[0013] The present invention further provides a file case comprising abody member for storing files therein in vertical position, a top end ofthe body member being opened; and a file support member attached to anupper portion of the body member and adapted to support the files suchthat hooks provided at upper portions of the files are hooked on thefile support member. In the file case, the file support member ispivotably or removably attached to the body member such that, throughthe file support member being pivoted outward or removed, an opening ofthe opened top end of the body member is expanded so as to allow a bodymember of another file case to be inserted into the body member.

[0014] Employment of the above-described configuration yields thefollowing effect. Pivoting the file support member outward or removingthe file support member expands an opening of the opened top end of thebody member, thereby allowing a body member of another file case to beinserted into the body member. Therefore, a number of file cases havingtheir openings expanded can be stacked compactly.

[0015] Preferably, while the file support member is attached in place tothe body member, a cover member is pivotably or removably attached tothe body member from above.

[0016] Employment of the above-described configuration yields thefollowing effect. After documents or the like are stored in files, thecover member is attached to the body member of the file case from above,thereby covering the interior of the body member and the file supportmember. When a second file case is to be stacked on the first file case,the cover member of the first file case is pivoted open or removed tothereby expand the opening of the opened top end of the body member ofthe first file case. Thus, the body member of the second file case canbe inserted into the body member of the first file case to thereby bestacked thereon.

[0017] Preferably, the body member is configured such that in additionto the top end thereof being opened, a front wall thereof is opened.Employment of the above-described configuration yields the followingeffect. Not only can a user store files in the interior of the bodymember through the opening of the opened top end of the body member, butthe user can also visually check the contained files or remove filesfrom or place files in the interior of the body member through theopening of the opened front wall of the body member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a file caseaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the file case of FIG. 1 asviewed after a cover member is removed;

[0020]FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the file case of FIG. 1 asviewed after the cover member is attached;

[0021]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a hinge portion of the filecase of FIG. 1;

[0022]FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main portion of the file case ofFIG. 1, showing a file support member;

[0023]FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a main portion of the file case ofFIG. 1, showing a file support member;

[0024]FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a main portion of the file case ofFIG. 1, showing a hinge mechanism of a cover body;

[0025]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the file case of FIG. 1, showinghow the file case is used; and

[0026]FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a storage caseaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Embodiments of the present invention will next be described withreference to the drawings.

[0028] [File Case]

[0029] First, a file case according to an embodiment of the presentinvention will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a file case 1 isadapted to store files therein and includes a body member 2, a filesupport member 3, and a cover member 4.

[0030] The body member 2 is a housing which is open upward and adaptedto store files therein in vertical position. The body member 2 includesa U-shaped front wall 6, side walls 7 and 8, a bottom wall 9, and a rearwall 10. A large rectangular opening 6A is formed in the front wall 6. Auser can visually check, through the opening 6A, articles which havebeen stored in the interior of the body member 2 through a top openingof the body member 2, and can remove articles from or place articles inthe interior of the body member 2 through the opening 6A. A number ofthrough-holes 7A and 8A are formed in the side walls 7 and 8 for, forexample, ventilation and design sake. The bottom wall 9 is formed flatand serves as a bottom of the body member 2. As in the case of the sidewalls 7 and 8, a number of through-holes 10A are formed in the rear wall10 for, for example, ventilation and design sake. The front wall 6, theside walls 7 and 8, and the rear wall 10 are inclined outward in such amanner that the distance between the front wall 6 and the rear wall 10and the distance between the side walls 7 and 8 increase toward the topend of the body member 2. Thus, a plurality of body members 2 can bestacked. Further, the body members 2 can be stacked such that an upperbody member 2 is inserted deep into a lower body member 2 until footportions of the upper body member 2 almost reach the bottom wall 9 ofthe lower body member 2.

[0031] A flange section 11 is formed along the entire top edge of thebody member 2. Two pivot shafts 14, each of which partially constitutesa hinge mechanism 13 to be described later, are provided at each of twoportions of the flange section 11 corresponding to the side walls 7 and8. Also, two pivot shafts 14 of two hinge mechanisms 13 are provided ata portion of the flange section 11 corresponding to the rear wall 10.

[0032] The hinge mechanisms 13 are adapted to pivotably attach the filesupport member 3 and the cover member 4 to the body member 2. As shownin FIG. 4, each of the hinge mechanisms 13 includes a pivot shaft 14provided at an edge of the flange section 11 and an engagement hooksection 15 provided on the file support member 3 or the cover member 4.The engagement hook section 15 includes an engagement hook 15A and upperretainers 15B. The engagement hook 15A has a semicircular cross sectionand is engaged with the pivot shaft 14 from underneath. Each of theupper retainers 15B has a semicircular cross section and is engaged withthe pivot shaft 14 from above.

[0033] The file support member 3 is attached to an upper portion of thebody member 2 and adapted to support files 21 (see FIG. 8). As shown inFIGS. 1, 2, and 5 to 8, the file support member 3 includes a flangeengagement section 23, a case support section 24, and a hook engagementsection 25.

[0034] The flange engagement section 23 is engaged with the flangesection 11 of the body member 2, whereby the file support member 3 issupported by means of the flange section 11. The flange engagementsection 23 has a cross section resembling a squarish letter U so as tofit onto the flange section 11. Two engagement hook sections 15, each ofwhich partially constitutes the hinge mechanism 13, are formed at anedge portion of the flange engagement section 23 in correspondence withthe two pivot shafts 14. The engagement hook sections 15 are engagedwith the corresponding pivot shafts 14, whereby the file support member3 is pivotably supported by the body member 2. Through the file supportmember 3 being pivoted outward from the body member 2, an opening of theopened top end of the body member 2 is expanded such that the bodymember 2 of another file case 1 can be inserted deep into the bodymember 2 until foot portions of the inserted body member 2 almost reachthe bottom wall 9 of the body member 2.

[0035] When file cases 1 are to be stacked while the cover members 4thereof are removed, the case support section 24 is adapted to receive afoot portion of an upper file case 1. The case support section 24 isformed inside and sunk below the flange engagement section 23 whilehaving dimensions that match the dimensions of a bottom portion of thebody member 2 of another file case 1.

[0036] The hook engagement section 25 allows hooks 21A (see FIG. 8)provided at upper portions of files 21 to be hooked on the same, tothereby support the files 21. The hook engagement section 25 is formedinside and sunk below the case support section 24. The hook engagementsection 25 has an H-shaped cross section. An inner vertical wall portion25A of the hook engagement section 25 allows the hooks 21A of the files21 to be hooked on the same.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5 to 7, the cover member 4 is adaptedto cover a top portion of the body member 2. The cover member 4 ispivotably attached to the body member 2 while covering a top portion ofthe body member 2. The cover member 4 is formed substantially flat andincludes a flange engagement section 31, which is formed along aperipheral edge thereof The flange engagement section 31 forms a grooveopened downward so as to fit onto the entire flange section 11 of thebody member 2. Also, dimensions of the flange engagement section 31 aredetermined so as to match the dimensions of the flange engagementsection 23 of the file support member 3. Thus, the cover member 4 cancover the body member 2 regardless of whether the file support member 3is attached to the body member 2. Two engagement hook sections 15 of twohinge mechanisms 13 are formed at one side edge portion of the covermember 4. The two engagement hook sections 15 are engaged with thecorresponding pivot shafts 14 provided at a portion of the flangesection 11 corresponding to the rear wall 10 of the body member 2,whereby the cover member 4 is pivotably attached to the body member 2.The cover member 4 has an engagement depression 32 formed inside theflange engagement section 31. The engagement depression 32 is sunk belowthe flange engagement section 31, thereby allowing a bottom portion ofthe body member 2 of another file case 1 to rest thereon. Specifically,the engagement depression 32 assumes dimensions substantially equal tothose of a bottom portion of the body member 2, so that a bottom portionof the body member 2 of an upper file case 1 can be stably fitted intothe engagement depression 32. Therefore, the file cases 1 can be stablystacked.

[0038] [Operation]

[0039] The thus-configured file case 1 is used as described below.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 8, the file support member 3 is attached to thebody member 2 of the file case 1. If the file support member 3 is in thestate of being pivoted outward from the body member 2, the file supportmember 3 is pivoted inward such that the flange engagement section 23 isfitted onto the flange section 11.

[0041] In this state, the hooks 21A of the files 21 are hooked on thevertical wall portion 25A of the file support member 3, whereby thefiles 21 are stored within the body member 2 in vertical position. About20 files 21 can be stored.

[0042] When all of the files 21 can be stored in a single file case 1,the cover member 4 is attached to the pivot shafts 14 provided at aportion of the flange section 11 corresponding to the rear wall 10 ofthe body member 2, followed by covering the body member 2 with the covermember 4 from above. The file case 1 is transported or stored.

[0043] When all of the files 21 cannot be stored in a single file case1, the files are stored in a plurality of file cases 1, which are thenstacked. In this case, the body member 2 of an upper file case 1 may beplaced on the case support section 24 of the file support member 3 of alower file case 1. Alternatively, the body member 2 of the upper filecase 1 may be placed on the engagement depression 32 of the cover 4attached to the lower file case 1. For transport, all of the file cases1 are covered with the respective cover members 4 attached thereto. Forstorage, the file cases 1 are stacked, and the top file case 1 iscovered with the cover member 4.

[0044] When a plurality of file cases 1 are to be stacked for, forexample, transport or storage, the file support member 3 is pivotedoutward from or removed from the body member 2 of a bottom file case 1.Also, the cover member 4 is pivoted outward from or removed from thebody member 2. As a result, the opening of the opened top end of thebody member 2 is expanded. Another file case 1 is inserted into thebottom file case 1 through the expanded opening. When still another filecase 1 is to be inserted into the top file case 1, the file supportmember 4 and the cover member 4 are pivoted outward from or removed fromthe body member 2 of the top file case 1, followed by insertion of theadditional file case 1 into the top file case 1.

[0045] [Effect]

[0046] As described above, the upper body member 2 can be inserted deepinto the lower body member 2 without the file support member 3 and thecover member 4 being hindrances. In this manner, a number of file cases1 can be stacked compactly.

[0047] Therefore, a large number of file cases 1 can be transported ordisplayed at a store at a time.

[0048] [Storage Case]

[0049] Next, a storage case 41 will be described. FIG. 9 perspectivelyshows the storage case 41.

[0050] The storage case 41 includes a body member 42 for storingarticles therein, two interior tray members 43 for storing smallarticles therein, and a cover member 44 for covering the body member 42from above. The body member 42 and the cover member 44 assume astructure similar to that of the body member 2 and the cover member 4 ofthe above-described file case 1.

[0051] The interior tray member 43 is adapted to store small articlestherein and assumes the form of a pan. The interior tray member 43includes a flange engagement section 45, which has a function similar tothat of the flange engagement section 23 of the file support member 3 ofthe file case 1. The flange engagement section 45 includes twoengagement hook sections 15 of two hinge mechanisms 13.

[0052] Members of the storage case 41 other than the interior traymember 43 are similar to those of the file case 1.

[0053] As in the case of the file case 1, articles are stored in thebody members 42 and the interior tray members 43 of the storage case 41,and additional storage cases 41 are stacked thereon if necessary.

[0054] Further, a number of empty storage cases 41 are stacked while theinterior tray members 43 and the covers 44 are pivoted outward from orremoved from the corresponding body members 42.

[0055] In stacking, as in the case of the file cases 1, the upper bodymember 42 can be inserted deep into the lower body member 42 without theinterior tray member 43 and the cover member 44 being hindrances. Inthis manner, a number of storage cases 41 can be stacked compactly.

[0056] Therefore, a large number of storage cases 41 can be transportedor displayed at a store at a time.

[0057] [Modified Embodiments]

[0058] (1) The above-described file case 1 utilizes the file supportmembers 3 of a single size. However, since the files 21 may have varioussizes, a plurality of file support members 3 corresponding to thevarious file sizes are preferably prepared. The distance between thevertical wall portions 25A of two file support members 3 attached to theopposite ends of the body member 2 corresponds to the distance betweenthe opposite hooks 21A of the file 21. Therefore, a plurality of filesupport members 3 are prepared in order to provide different distancesbetween the vertical wall portions 25A that match the various sizes ofthe files 21 such as sizes A4 and B5. As a result, the file case 1 canstore the files 21 of various sizes therein.

[0059] (2) The above-described file case 1 is configured in such amanner that the file support member 3 and the cover member 4 arepivotably attached to the body member 2 and are pivoted outward from thebody member 2 to thereby expand an opening of the opened top end of thebody member 2 for allowing the body member 2 of another file case 1 tobe inserted into the body member 2 through the expanded opening.However, the file support member 3 and the cover member 4 may beremovably attached to the body member 2. In this case, action and effectsimilar to those yielded by the above-described file case 1 can beyielded.

[0060] Notably, this removable structure is also applicable to thestorage case 41.

[0061] (3) In the storage case 41, the interior tray member 43 has awidth about one-third the width of the body member 42. However, needlessto say, the interior tray member 43 may have a different width. Forexample, two interior tray members 43 may each have a width which ishalf the width of the body member 42, so that the two interior traymembers 43, when attached to the body member 42, cover the entiretop-end opening of the body member 42.

What is claimed is:
 1. A storage case comprising: a body member forstoring articles therein, a top end of said body member being opened;and an interior tray member attached to an upper portion of said bodymember and adapted to store small articles therein; wherein saidinterior tray member is pivotably or removably attached to said bodymember such that, through said interior tray member being pivotedoutward or removed, an opening of the opened top end of said body memberis expanded so as to allow a body member of another storage case to beinserted into said body member.
 2. A storage case according to claim 1,wherein, while said interior tray member is attached in place to saidbody member, a cover member is pivotably or removably attached to saidbody member from above.
 3. A storage case according to claim 1, whereinsaid body member is configured such that in addition to the top endthereof being opened, a front wall thereof is opened.
 4. A file casecomprising: a body member for storing files therein in verticalposition, a top end of said body member being opened; and a file supportmember attached to an upper portion of said body member and adapted tosupport the files such that hooks provided on upper portions of thefiles are hooked on said file support member; wherein said file supportmember is pivotably or removably attached to said body member such that,through said file support member being pivoted outward or removed, anopening of the opened top end of said body member is expanded so as toallow a body member of another file case to be inserted into said bodymember.
 5. A file case according to claim 4, wherein, while said filesupport member is attached in place to said body member, a cover memberis pivotably or removably attached to said body member from above.
 6. Afile case according to claim 4, wherein said body member is configuredsuch that in addition to the top end thereof being opened, a front wallthereof is opened.